Dealing With A New Boss

Recognize that the past is the past and that your new supervisor will likely judge you based on your ongoing relationship with him.

Trust is built on honesty. Past mistakes won’t tarnish this bond, but trying to hide them may. If you are concerned with past failures, recognize that mistakes are only human and so is progress. Show that you have learned from your past mistakes (it is often helpful to keep a few examples of your successes at your fingertips) and show your hunger for improvement.

Be accepting of their new role

Stay away from company politics. The last thing you want to do is to appear like a threat to your boss or to anyone else vying for his job. This can be difficult to do if you feel that you were the one who was overlooked in the hiring process.

The key thing to do is to recognize that your new supervisor is not your enemy. He did not wrong you by taking up the job; you're the one who failed to impress upon your superiors that you are capable of the job or that you have a desire for it.

Do not be afraid to clear the air and state that you were hoping for the position; honesty disarms hostility and suspicion. Also, emphasize your willingness to help out.

Let your boss know how you feel about the situation and what you would like to achieve. Work on creating an understanding on how the two of you can work to your mutual benefit. Don’t be surprised to find that you can both come out ahead by working together.

making the best of the situation

Welcoming a new boss to the workplace can be an unsettling experience. Use the opportunity to set yourself apart from others. Establish yourself as the go-to guy by respecting your supervisor and his ability to see past the nonsense and charades.